Land Use: A bill introduced into the U.S. Senate that would increase protection on more than 2,200 square miles of the California desert is getting general acclaim from conservationists, but one part of the bill isn't winning unanimous support.

Wilderness: More than 2,100 square miles of protected lands in California will keep that status for the time being, as a move to strip wilderness study areas of protection failed Wednesday in the U.S. Senate.

Land Use: The California Legislature passed tons of new environmental laws in 2014, with many of them going into effect on January 1. The area of land use regulations is no exception. We've compiled some of the most important new land use laws here.

Land Use: About 30,000 off-road vehicles descended on the Mojave Desert in California over Thanksgiving weekend this year, and many of those off-road vehicles ended up out of bounds in places they shouldn't have gone, according to the BLM.

Natural Gas: Residents of a Los Angeles neighborhood have demanded a full environmental assessment of a company's proposal to expand oil drilling operations in the Santa Susana Mountains from 18 to 30 wells.

DRECP: Those of you who are planning to comment on the gargantuan and nearly incomprehensible plan to regulate energy development on 22 million acres of the California Desert now have an extra six and a half weeks to do so.

Legislation: Representative Raul Ruiz, seated on left, applauds as Senator Dianne Feinstein announces her intent to reintroduce a desert protection bill. | Photo: Chris Clarke U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is rebooting her effort to protect almost a million and a half...

Mammals: For the first time in over 70 years, a gray wolf has been sighted roaming the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, according to conservation groups who viewed a photo shared with them by a visitor to Grand Canyon National Park.

Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service has issued a tentative decision on its controversial plan to log tens of thousands of acres of forest burned in 2013's Rim Fire, and that decision will not please wildlife preservationists.

Amphibians: A popular climbing area in the Angeles National Forest may be reopened under strict management to protect the local population of an Endangered frog, the U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday.

Legislation: The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to help fund the acquisition of 74 acres in Agua Dulce as part of a critical wildlife corridor connecting two major sections of the Angeles National Forest.

The Hidden Desert: I never thought about verdins much before this year. I knew they existed, ridiculously tiny songbirds not much more massive than the insects they eat. That was before I had them next to my desk for most of the workday.

Concrete and Chaparral : Seasons? In Southern California? Of course! The spring season is when many plants, especially our local native plants, are in bloom. The last few weeks of spring not only give you a last chance to see their efflorescence, but to witness the transition into summer dormancy.

Parks: This story has been published in tandem with a segment for KCET's award-winning TV show "SoCal Connected." Watch it here now. A few years ago, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was overrun with illegal marijuana growth sites. Trees...

Concrete and Chaparral : | Photo: Elson Trinidad The month of April has been awash with the usual Earth Day-themed activities, events which encourage attendees to "Go Green" in the form of recycling, zero-waste practices, lowering one's carbon footprint, reducing fossil fuel consumption,...

Photovoltaic (PV): Five retired National Park Service Superintendents who spent a cumulative 35 years managing California's three desert National Parks are asking the Bureau of Land Management to move a 4,000-acre solar project they say would threaten the Mojave National Preserve's wildlife, views and groundwater.

Commentary: A 38-year veteran of the National Park Service who capped his career by spending three years running Joshua Tree National Park has come out against a solar project proposed for the central Mojave Desert in no uncertain terms.

Concrete and Chaparral : On this particular street, the sound of mariachi, ranchera, Latin ballads, and techno music blast out of household stereos, a common soundtrack for the eastern SFV. But here, amidst sidewalk-less suburban streets, this block looks rather different.

The Hidden Desert: When Bill Nye appeared on Bill Maher's show this month he ventured into my usual turf: the deserts of California. That's cool, but he made an error in basic fact that I can't help but pick at.

Concrete and Chaparral : With 44 percent of total household water usage in Los Angeles going towards landscaping use, rainwater collection, even in the drought era, is important. Perhaps, more important than ever.

Photovoltaic (PV): If discussion at a recent gathering of desert activists is any indication, a nearly 4,200-acre solar project proposed by Bechtel for a valley adjoining the Mojave National Preserve will encounter near-unanimous opposition from green groups.

Concrete and Chaparral : At the extreme southwesternmost point of the city of Los Angeles lies a 102-acre plot of land that appears as an empty, vacant parcel to the uninitiated. It actually serves as a quiet, natural respite from the urban world.

KCET is the nation's largest independent public television station. On air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. We offer a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world.

Press Room

Are you a member of the media looking for information about KCET? Visit our press room for contact details, images and all the latest news.